Providence family at nexus of program’s efforts to get babies ready to learn

One out of every three Providence kindergarten students enter the classroom with what experts says is the appropriate arsenal of words necessary to succeed.

Ashley Cox is taking steps to ensure her two youngest sons are ready to learn.

The single mother of four is among the first participants in Providence Talks – the city’s early childhood development initiative that is designed to increase the number of words children in low-income families hear, and close the word gap they have with peers from wealthier families.